How Long Do Genital Warts Last
With a topical cream or solution treatment, most genital warts will go away in four to twelve weeks .
Surgical treatments will remove genital warts immediately, and freezing usually requires multiple sessions over a number of weeks.
Without treatment, most people find that warts go away within six months. However, they can last for longer.
Can Genital Warts Look Like Skin Tags
Simply put, yes. Both genital warts and skin tags are small fleshy bumps that appear on the skin in or around the groin. Skin tags differ from genital warts in that instead of being a collection of raised bumps that sit on the surface of the skin, they grow outwards and they are attached to the skin via a narrow stalk.
What Else You Should Know About Skin Tags
Some other studies have suggested that skin tags may be associated with thyroid problems. An article published in December 2016 in the Journal of Evolutionary Medicine found that about 11 percent of people with thyroid issues had achrocordons, or skin tags. These patients tended to have a higher number of thyroid nodules and thyroid volume. This, they hypothesize, is because skin tags and thyroid changes may be associated with high levels of circulating insulin.
I had all the symptoms of hypothyroidism at the time I noticed my skin tags I was diagnosed several years later, after the birth of my first son. By that point, my thyroid was quite large and had several nodules. Luckily, none of them were cancerous.
And speaking of cancer, its generally not something you need to worry about with regular old skin tags. Dr. Farber says that, If anything changes quickly, is unusually painful, or concerns you, its worth getting it examined to confirm its a benign skin tag . Skin tags tend to grow very slowly. Any growth that changes quickly is a reason to get examined by a dermatologist.
Not to mention, your skin tags may not be skin tags at all. They could be genital warts, as their appearance is similar to skin tags, as shown from pictures on the American Academy of Dermatology website. Your best bet? Visit a certified dermatologist, like I did, to determine a diagnosis and find out the best treatment for your condition.
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See A Doctor About Genital Wart Removal
If you have genital warts, there is a risk that you have an STD. If so, it will not go away on its own. They can be itchy, and if not treated, could become painful.
There is no over-the-counter treatment for an STD that works, so dont use the wart creams that are typically used on fingers and hands.
Genital warts need to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor as soon as possible. The likely method of removal or genital warts treatments the doctor will suggest is cryotherapy, which involves freezing off a genital wart.
Health insurance will usually cover any costs for the treatment of genital warts because it is a necessary medical procedure unlike skin tags, which are considered to be just a cosmetic issue and are typically not cause for alarm.
In the meantime, avoid intercourse and oral sex until an accurate diagnosis has been made by your doctor. If you are infected, the condition must be cleared up, or else it will spread.
Are Skin Tags And Warts Dangerous
Skin tags come and go throughout your life if youre prone to developing skin tags. While they arent aesthetically pleasing, they arent usually a serious cause for concern. If you were to neglect them, no harm would come to you.
Warts arent necessarily dangerous, but theyre usually contagious. Its best to treat warts the moment you identify them. If you dont, you risk spreading warts to other people or allowing them to appear in other areas of your body. Early and immediate intervention is highly advisable.
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Signs Of Genital Warts
Genital warts only grow on that specific part of the body, and theyre most common among young people who are aged 16 to 24. They can be different colors, such as brown or pink. You may only have one, or a small cluster.
The small bumps are often described as looking like a small cauliflower textured bump in the genital area, which is a visible way of distinguishing the two conditions. While skin tags are often smooth, genital warts appear to have more texture as described.
How Are Genital Warts Diagnosed And What Should Be Done About Them
Unlike skin tags and moles, genital warts are very contagious and spread via skin to skin contact, usually during sexual intercourse. Remember, HPV is a sexually transmitted infection and thus, the best way to protect yourself from contracting genital warts is by wearing protection. Although genital warts are contracted via skin to skin contact, a condom does not always cover all places where they can be found, so condoms are not 100% effective. The best course of action is to not engage in sexual intercourse if you suspect that either you or your partner have genital warts.
If you are unsure whether you have genital warts, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional and get tested at your nearest sexual health clinic. They will look at the bumps and make a diagnosis. A biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, though this is rare.
Treatment for genital warts will vary depending on the severity of the infection. In some cases, no treatment may be necessary. The warts may go away on their own over time. In other cases, topical treatments or surgery may be required to remove the warts.
If you’re concerned that you may have genital warts, the best thing to do is to see a doctor or other healthcare provider for a diagnosis. They can look at your symptoms and perform diagnostic tests where necessary. There are plenty of treatment options available if you do have genital warts, so don’t delay in seeking medical help if you’re worried about them.
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Genital Warts Or Ingrown Hair: How To Tell The Difference
If you shave your pubic area, you increase the risk of getting ingrown hairs hairs that have curled around and grown back into the skin.
Ingrown hairs are usually red, raised, and painful similar to a spot or a pimple. Sometimes they can be itchy too, which is why people might mistake them for genital warts.
However, genital warts look very different to an ingrown hair. Genital warts are flesh-coloured and normally have a ‘cauliflower-like’ appearance.
What To Do If You See Signs Of Genital Warts
If you spot the first signs of genital warts you should begin treatment immediately. Topical creams such as Warticon, Condyline or Aldara can help you get rid of the warts. Other treatments for warts include a wide range of surgical operations as well as chemical treatments. These treatments help remove the warts but they do not kill the virus which causes them.
If you or your doctor or nurse have found warts, its important you are checked for other sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV.
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How Do I Get Rid Of Genital Skin Tags And Hpv Warts
Because HPV warts are a result of a transmitted infection, they are not removed in the same way as skin tags. If you have a genital skin tag, then a skin specialist will remove it using a scalpel or freezing methods . To treat the genital HPV infection, you will likely be given a course of antibiotics to take in order to combat the infection and stop it from spreading, as well as a topical cream to soothe and reduce their appearance.
Genital Warts Symptoms For Women: Common Areas
For women, genital warts will usually appear:
- Around the opening of the vagina
- In the neck of the womb
- On the upper thighs
If you notice the symptoms of genital warts in these areas, you should visit a doctor or nurse for a check-up to confirm you have the infection. They will be able to suggest a course of action.
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Skin Tags Versus Genital Warts Vs Moles
There are a lot of different skin issues that may appear similar. Some may even look exactly the same, and can lead you to consider using topical solutions to fix them. But heres the kicker, certain issues are not the same, and may persist. Thats exactly what occurs in relation to skin tags, genital warts, and moles. These can all appear to be similar, but they are all different. As a result, you cannot always use the same topical formulas to remove each option, which requires a bit of focus to get through. With that in mind, youll need to consider a few notes in regard to each, and how they differ or even appear similar in some instances.
Where Can You Find Genital Warts
Unlike skin tags, genital warts only appear in the genital area. However, this specific location changes depending on male or female. Men will find genital warts around the tip of the penis. Women will typically notice genital warts on the vulva or walls of the vagina. It is also possible to get genital warts in the throat or mouth if oral sex is performed.
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Can Genital Warts Cause Cancer
Genital warts are not cancer and do not cause cancer.
Both genital warts and cervical cancer stem from the same virus: the human papillomavirus . However, there are over 100 different strains of HPV, with varying levels of severity and results.
The types of HPV that are linked to these cancers do not cause genital warts .
What Is A Skin Tag
A skin tag can be caused by many things including age, pregnancy and obesity. Unlike genital warts, this is not a sexually transmitted disease. Skin tags appear as small, soft lumps on the surface of the skin. However, over time this tiny soft bump can grow in size. Sometimes skin tags are difficult to notice because they have a color that is identical to your skin tone. As it grows and protrudes, you often become more aware of the presence of skin tags.
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Skin Tags Vs Genital Warts
Skin tags are prone to appearing in the folds, which include the genital area, so they can sometimes be mistaken for genital warts. This is especially true for women, as some skin tags can appear flatter around the genital area, much like genital warts. Unlike genital warts, skin tags will not irritate or itch, and will not bleed, unless ripped or suddenly removed. Genital warts can bleed and cause discomfort, which is a major indicator that it isnt a skin tag.
Unlike genital warts, which are caused by a virus, most skin tags develop on their own. Genital warts may progress over time and develop into clusters, while skin tags will not. Unlike genital warts, skin tags usually grow outwards and are connected to the skin by a short stalk. Genital warts, on the other hand, are raised bumps that lie flat on the top of the skin. Your skin tags should not be painful or bothersome, while genital warts might itch or cause general discomfort, and this is a good way of telling them apart.
What Is Skin Tag
Skin tags are skin growth that occurs mostly in the thick skin areas or areas where skin fold. They can appear at places like armpits, necks, under breasts, groin, etc. Skin tags are small and look like small balloons popping out of the skin.
They are brown or flesh-colored.
The exact reason for the growth of skin tags is not known however it is considered that the friction between clothes and skin can cause them.
Also, some more reasons can be overweight, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, And it can be HPV as well. Some studies have shown that 48% of the skin tags contain a type of HPV.
Skin tags are not contagious but they can be itchy, and painful. However, if the skin tags grow enormously, bleed, and display colors like pink, red and black then they can be harmful and can lead to skin cancer.
And they would require immediate medical attention.
The normal skin tags dont require any treatment and also they can be persistent once they form. However, sometimes they fall off spontaneously.
And many times they are removed for cosmetic reasons through procedures like cryosurgery, surgical ligation, excision, cauterization, etc.
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Do Skin Tags And Hpv Warts Go Away On Their Own
Skin tags can have a tendency to resolve themselves by falling off naturally. HPV, however, does not. Always remember that the actual warts are just a symptomatic manifestation of a virus. So, while the growths might go away on their own, you will still be carrying a virus that can lead to further complications.
Can You Cure Genital Warts Forever
The HPV virus, the underlying cause of genital warts, is not currently curable. But genital warts themselves can be treated and should go away by using a topical treatment.
There are some cases where they will remain and may require physically or surgically treating to remove them completely.
Unfortunately, as there is no actual cure for HPV it will remain dormant in your system after your warts have disappeared, meaning you could suffer recurring outbreaks of genital warts. It is possible though that, over time, your body could clear the virus from your system and you will not have any further outbreaks of warts.
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How Genital Skin Tags Are Treated
Skin tags on the genitals are benign, which means they are not cancerous. If you want them removed due to appearance or discomfort, its best left to a professional.
At-home treatment or removal of skin tags in the genital area is risky. This is because the skin is so sensitive. At-home removal could cause infection, pain, and scarring.
A medical professional can remove your skin tags with one of these options:
- Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the growth. A small blister might form where the nitrogen was applied. Scarring is rare.
- Excision uses a scalpel or surgical scissors for removal. You will receive a local anesthetic for this procedure. It may burn or sting for a moment.
- Cauterization uses an electric current passing through a wire. This burns off the skin tag at the stem. The heat of the wire helps limit bleeding.
All three of these options are outpatient procedures. This means you can have them done in a medical office and leave afterward. You may be able to get multiple skin tags removed at once. Ask your healthcare provider about this in advance.
Treatments For Genital Warts Vs Skin Tags
Treating genital warts
Genital warts require a special medication used to treat sexually transmitted diseases. Since they are caused by a virus, the condition can never be cured. Still, medications that contain antivirals may help to shorten your symptoms and prevent future outbreaks.
Treating skin tags
Your doctor can remove skin tags by:
- Freezing them off with liquid nitrogen
- Burning them with a special probe tool
- Cutting them off with scissors
Home remedies for skin tags include:
- Applying a topical treatment like tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar
- Tying a string or band around the base of the skin tag to cut of circulation
These two skin conditions are easy to tell apart by both appearance and location. Although skin tags may occur in the creases of your legs near your genitals, their texture is very different from genital warts. Genital warts will be much closer to your genitals and have more of a cauliflower-like texture compared to skin tags which are fleshy flaps of skin.
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Can These Bumps Be Prevented
Skin tags
It is not completely clear why and how skin tags develop. Multiple factors might be involved and for that reason they are not considered preventable.
Genital wart
Unlike skin tags, genital warts can be prevented or the chance of getting them can be minimized in these ways:
- Getting the vaccine
What To Look For
Genital warts come in various sizes and shapes. Common symptoms of genital warts include:
- Small bumps that are skin-coloured and often grow in clusters forming a sort of cauliflower shape
- Some people only have one or two warts. When these growths are located directly in the genital area, they are usually soft-to-the-touch and can be either raised or flat
- Most of the time, genital warts appear in moist areas and do not cause discomfort or pain. In rare cases, they can be itchy, hurt a bit or bleed – especially if you scratch them
With regards to the early signs of genital warts, you need to keep in mind that they can appear weeks to months after the infection. Women who have recently had unprotected sex and are looking for early signs of genital warts should check themselves regularly. Not all genital bumps are early signs of genital warts. They could be the manifestation of other diseases, from syphilis to haemorrhoids or papules . When in doubt, consult your GP or GUM clinic.
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Treatment For Both Skin Conditions
Skin tags may be surgically removed, and this is especially recommended if they have a considerably wider base, or if they are closer to flush with the skin. This is generally an outpatient procedure that is performed under a local anesthetic, and can be done with a regular scalpel or through laser surgery. In places where the skin tags are highly visible, laser surgery is recommended, as the heat from the beam cauterizes the skin and can lead to less visible impact during healing.
Skin tags that have a smaller base may not require surgery and can be dealt with through topical compounds. It should be noted that freezing is not the best option for skin tags, as this can damage the surrounding skin. However, topical compounds that contain natural ingredients such as bloodroot and poke, can cause the skin tag to dissolve, without any discomfort or lasting marks.
Warts that are found on the dermis also have several options for removal. Outpatient surgery and laser removal can be highly effective and it is recommended for occurrences where clusters of warts are the size of a dime or larger. Single warts may also be removed in this manner, although the home or professional application of liquid nitrogen for freezing them off can also be a valid choice. Freezing can also put the wart virus into stasis, and this can prevent contagion.